Tired Liverpool star Raheem Sterling still not going at full steam

OFF COLOUR: Raheem Sterling had another indifferent game for England [GETTY]

Aged 11, is where he excitedly watched the famous arch winched into place in the big stadium ­rebuild.

So it is ironic the teenager will always be remembered for telling England boss Roy Hodgson he felt too tired to train the night ­before the ­Estonia game last month.

Hodgson clipped his wings and chained him to the bench and then the abuse flooded ­Sterling's ears, leaving his wheel of fortune at a ­standstill.

But the Liverpool star was determined to get back on his bike against Slovenia last night, belting out God Save The Queen during the pre-match ­formalities.

His 12th cap for his country came the same day England ­captain Wayne Rooney received a fitting Wembley ovation for his 100th appearance.

This was Sterling's eighth start for the Three Lions in this Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and a chance to show what a gilt-edged commodity he is for England.

It was his opportunity to prove that his wheels had not come off at a time when he should be pedalling for ­glory in that iconic white shirt.

But the Jamaican-born forward could only bring a glimpse of ­sunshine to a gloomy Wembley.

TIRED: Sterling was ineffective for England [GETTY]

He could not lift himself above ­ordinary when embarrassing ­Slovenia defenders was his clear mandate.

Mind you, Sterling would have ­found it easier to negotiate the ­Wembley pitch on his trusty bike rather than try to pick his way past the ­divots left by the American ­footballers who trampled all over the ­legendary London surface last ­weekend.

Instead, Sterling worked his way across the lunar surface in his ­dazzling orange boots, searching for that "over the moon" moment.

He thought it had come as early as the 16th minute but he dragged his shot wide of goalkeeper Samir Handanovic - and the upright.

There were some lightning-quick trademark raids mixed with tricks of his trade as Sterling tried to grow into the game.

But Slovenia decided their best policy was to make him eat dirt.

Sterling, just like his ­England team-mates, could not get out of first gear and idled through a tedious first 45 ­minutes, when the only danger to the Slovenia goal came from one of their own, Jasmin Kurtic, with a clumsy, back-pass.

Sloven-ly was not in it.

He showed a glimpse of what he is made of at the restart with a cutting run down the right - but failed to pick out one of his own men.

Not that the accusing finger should be pointed at him alone.

Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana did not live up to high expectations against the international minnows either.

But you felt this should have been Sterling's night for redemption - ­particularly as the Wembley misery deepened with Jordan Henderson's disastrous own goal.

In the end you could not have ­written a better script, as Rooney quickly converted a spot-kick ­equaliser after Cesar had brought the Man United striker down in the box.

Welbeck then made it 2-1 - and ­Sterling played a key part.

The Arsenal forward played a neat ­one-two with the Liverpool man to score the third before Sterling night ended with a yellow card born out of frustration.

He then returned to the bench in favour of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with six minutes left.